Fake George Lilanga

The true story about the famous African artist

It is now established that George Lilanga did not paint any single painting (a strong statement but this is what we say here in Tanzania. With some effort he maight paint a single, two or few paintings). He simply did not know how to paint. (the oil paintings) The man who created the great art is Noel Kapanda. He was the right hand of George Lilanga. He even traveled with George Lilanga to Japan where he used to paint when George Lilanga was asked by the Japanese host. Actually the Japanese later discovered that George Lilanga couldn´t paint at all. (The Japanese story is popular among the artists here in Tanzania, I did not check but the names are available and could be used to proove it)

Also Noel Kapanda told me stories about how he used to "escape" whenever any art dealer was about to visit Lilanga´s studio. Actually Noel Kapanda worked in Lilanga´s studio every day in the period of 6-8 years. Noel Kapanda was also a teacher. He taught for example Hendrick Lilanga how to paint Lilanga art. All the earlier works are painted by Noel Kapanda. Noel Kapanda told me that he tried to teach even George Lilanga but he failed again and again.

This information is checked (I meet the artists in my free time, at their studio. All has told me the same information independently) I welcome any Lilanga expert to chalenge this information. (I would like to see more interest from other parties to make more research)

This picture is taken on 21st February 2009. Noel Kapanda kept these paintings for memory. They were painted short after Lilanga´s death. Noel Kapanda showed me the paintings only after I started to speak about Lilanga matter. It feels as if he was "hiding" the paintings and the truth about the history of one of most famous African painters.